Homecoming
Join us this Friday (Oct. 19) for the homecoming soccer game at 4:30
pm. All Lawrence students and families are welcome to attend and cheer on our Lions. The Homecoming Dance is on Saturday (Oct. 20) from 7-10 pm, for
students in grades 9-12.
Lower School Fall Parties:
Lower School fall
parties will be held on Friday, Oct. 26, at 1:30 pm. Room parents should contact teachers ASAP to discuss plans, if they have not already done
so.
Dress Down Day:
There is a Student Council dress down day for all students on Friday, Oct.
26. Students may pay 25 cents per item of clothing out of dress code, or $1 for an entire outfit. These dress down days take place on the last Friday
of each month.
PHOTO: Mrs. Bishop led middle school students in outdoor yoga during
activity period during one of our warm, fall days.
Basketball Info:
Students in grades 7-12 (male and female) who are
interested in playing
basketball must have their physicals completed by Wed. Oct. 31. For more information, e-mail Mr. Ron Messer or call ext. 2410.
Athletic Boosters Club Fundraiser
The Reverse Raffle dinner scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 28 has been
canceled. Raffle tickets, however, are still available.
Contact Mr. Ron
Messer at x2410 purchase a ticket. Proceeds benefit the Upper School athletic teams.
Athletics Gold Cards
Cross
Country and Soccer parents should have received varsity Gold Cards,
which offer a discount at numerous local retail and restaurant
locations. Unsold soccer team cards are due TODAY, Friday, Oct. 19. Questions can be directed to Mr. Ron Messer.
Great job, Lions!
Congratulations to the Lawrence Lions soccer team for their 2nd place finish
in the tournament at Grand River last weekend. Way to go!
PHOTO: Mrs. Kaufmann demonstrates Smart Board use in science during
last week's NEOEA Day Tech Conference.
Ski Club
Upper School Ski Club will take place on Wednesdays after school during
January. For more information, see Miss Kristy Rinas.
Root Candle Class Fundraiser
Upper School students are participating in a Root
Candle Sale fundraiser. Order forms and payments are due to Mrs.
Pedaline
by Monday, Oct. 29. Candles will be delivered on Thursday, Nov.
15 (9/10 Project Room #317). Profits will go toward
building "class" accounts for each graduating classes (2008,
2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013), to be used for special events and celebrations.
Standardized Testing for Seniors
The
next
SAT test at Lawrence School will be administered on Saturday, Dec.
1. The deadline to sign up is Oct. 30. Registration available at www.collegeboard.com. The next ACT test will be administered
on Saturday,
Dec. 8. The deadline for registration is Nov. 2. Students can register at www.actstudent.org. For questions, see Mrs.
Mattes in the
guidance office.
PHOTO: Broadview Heights police officer Jose Garcia gives sixth
graders a DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) lesson.
Lower School Social
Lower School families are
invited to attend a weekend social on Sunday, Nov. 4, from 1-2:30
pm at Iceland in Strongsville (Rt. 82 just east of the I-71
interchange). The
cost is $4 per person with a $2 skate rental fee. Please RSVP to Mrs.
Pat Feith via e-mail or at x1124 with the number of family members you will be bringing. Hope to see you there!
College Visits:
The
following colleges will have
admissions representatives visiting Lawrence:
Notre Dame College
Oct. 23 at 9 am
Cleveland State
Oct. 24 at 9 am
University of Akron
Oct. 30 at 10 am
Ohio Northern
Nov. 1 at 9:30 am
Any high school students interested in
meeting with a representative should see Mrs. Jennifer
Mattes in
the admission office.
Get in "The Loop"
If
you are reading this newsletter on a black and white piece of paper,
you are missing out! Did you know we can deliver a full-color version
of the Loop right to your in-box each week? To sign up, e-mail cbaker@lawrence.pvt.k12.oh.us with your
request. We will send to grandparents, relatives and friends, too!
Access the School Calendar
Online:
The Lawrence School calendar for
both Lower and Upper School is
available online here
(or you can access it directly from our home page).
The calendar contains dates of interest including: conferences,
vacations, athletics schedules, extracurricular schedules, events, and
grading period
information.
www.lawrencevip.org
The parent-run VIP (Very Involved Parent) website
allows parents to communicate with each other about carpooling, school
uniforms, and other school activities and events. You must be a member
to view content and reply to messages. Signing up is easy; simply go to
the "Register" link and sign up using your first initial and last name.
As soon as your account is approved, you will be able to view all
content.
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October 19,
2007
Early Release Day - Nov. 2:
Parents, please note that Friday, November 2 is an
early release day for all students due to staff training which will take place that afternoon. Please make the necessary arrangements to have your
child picked up at noon on that day. We thank you in advance for your cooperation!
School Transportation Reminder: If your child uses a school district bus or private transportation service, please be aware that it is your responsibility to inform that bus service when your child will not be
riding with them due to illness, early dismissal for doctor appointments, etc. All private transportation companies and school districts busing
to our school have been given a school calendar, so they are aware of our schedule; however, it is up to parents to ensure that the bus/van drivers
are informed of any changes to your child's schedule.
Red Ribbon Week: Next week, Lawrence School will
support the national initiative of Red Ribbon Week through various activities and student assemblies in both the lower and upper schools. Red Ribbon
Week was created as a way for people and communities to unite and take
a
visible stand against drugs. During the week, students will be showing their personal commitment to
a drug-free lifestyle by wearing the symbol of a red ribbon.
Classroll Help: Miss Sally Garza has created a
guide for Upper School parents on how to use Classroll. You can download the form here or contact Miss Garza via e-mail or at x2140 to request a copy.
Girls' Volleyball: There
will be an informational meeting next Wed. Oct. 24 during advisory
period (11:30 am) in the 9/10 commons for any Upper School girls
interested in playing volleyball. Games will be intramural this year,
with plans to
form a competitive team in the fall of 2008.
Drama Club Auditions: Auditions for Lawrence
School's production of Tennessee Williams' The Glass Menagerie will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 23, from 3:30-5 pm
in the theater. Call-backs will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 24, from
3:30-5 pm. A first read-through for cast members will take place on
Thursday, Oct. 25. No previous acting experience is necessary and everyone
is welcome to audition. Students interested in working on the crew for this
production need not attend auditions. A crew meeting will take place once the
production has been cast. Please contact Mr. Jason Culp with
any
questions.
Lower School Assembly: On Thursday, Oct. 25 at
10:30 am, a representative from the Cleveland Museum of Natural History will present a live animal assembly of native Ohio animals, teaching students
about animal senses, classification, camouflage, communication and habitat.
Fishing Day at the Upper School... Part II:
Thanks to the success and positive feedback we received following our first Fishing Day at the Upper School, a second event has been added for
Friday, Oct. 26. Bring
your own poles and bait, and fish the lake from 3:20-4:30 pm. Cost is
$5.
RSVP to Mrs. Karen Callahan by e-mail or
x2506.
Free Adult Technology Course: The next
class in the series of free adult technology courses is "Using
Inspiration Software." Inspiration is a web concept
mapping program
that allows users to link ideas in both linear and non-linear ways. It
takes place on
Thursday,
Oct. 25, from 4-5:30 pm at the Upper School (Room 412), and is appropriate to all grade levels. To see a
detailed schedule of all classes, please click here. Classes are open to all
adults including parents, relatives and community members.
Living Room Chats with Lou Salza: If you have
not yet had a chance to attend a Living Room Chat, there are three final opportunities to join
the discussion, enjoy wine and cheese, and bring an interested friend!
- Thursday, 10/25 - Akron - home of Pam & Greg Bean
- Thursday, 11/1 - Hudson - home of Rosemary & Ray McKinney
- Wednesday, 11/28 - Chagrin Falls - home of Gwen & Todd McCuaig
For a complete list of events, click here. RSVP to Jayne Eiben via e-mail or at x3107.
Lower School Field Trip: All Lower School
students will travel to Mapleside Apple Farm on Tuesday, Oct. 30. They will tour the apple orchard, pick apples, tour the packing and storage room,
enjoy donuts and cider, and will each receive a small pumpkin to take home. Students must bring a disposable lunch (no cans or glass bottles) to eat
at the orchard. This is a dress down day; be sure that your child is dressed for the weather as it may be chilly and/or
muddy.
Music Lessons Available: Mr. Mark MacLagan, MFA and Upper School music teacher, is offering private
instrumental lessons on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for $15 per half hour. Call 440-526-0003 ext. 2427 to schedule!
Lower School Parent Coffee: The Lower
School Parent Coffee is on Wednesday, Nov. 14, from
8:15-9:30 am. Mrs. Hedy Laverdiere will share information on computer
safety. Topics include social networking sites, e-mail, instant
messaging, chat rooms, and how to keep track of how long your child is
spending on the computer as well as what they are browsing. Please RSVP
to Mrs. Pat Feith
(x1124) by Tuesday, Nov. 13.
Technology Field Trip & CAVS Game: High School
technology students are invited
to the TSA Technology & Engineering Career Day with
the Cavaliers, on Wednesday,
Nov. 14.
The event will focus on "behind the scenes" tech-based career opportunities in professional sports. Students who attend are
also invited to attend the
Cavs vs. Magic game afterward. Students will leave school at 12:45 pm
and arrive back to school around 9:30 pm. Students must turn
in a permission slip and $20 (checks payable to Lawrence School) to
Miss Sally Garza by Tuesday, Oct. 23. Students will also be asked to
bring $20 on the day of the event for dinner before the
game. If parents have questions, please contact Miss Garza via
e-mail or at
x2140.
Installation Ceremony for Lou Salza: Invitations for the formal installation of Lou Salza, Head of School, were sent home this week. If you did not receive one, please
contact Jayne Eiben via e-mail or at x3107. The installation takes place on
Tuesday, Nov. 20, at 10 am at the Upper School, and will be attended by students, staff, parents, trustees and friends. We hope to see you
there!
Market Day: The new order
forms for Market Day have been sent home. Market Day pies and desserts are a great addition to your holiday celebrations! They taste homemade, and
selections range from fruit pies to cheesecakes. There are even "no sugar added" selections. This month, if you order four desserts, you receive a
free insulated bag. Lawrence School will also receive additional profit on any desserts ordered this month. Order online at www.marketday.com or return order forms to the school by Thursday, Nov. 8.
Pick up is on
Wednesday, Nov. 14.
Upper School Assembly with Peggy O'Neill: Many thanks to special guest Peggy O'Neill, who spoke with Upper School students last week about acceptance, self-esteem, and
"standing tall." Peggy stands only 3 feet 8 inches tall, but she is huge in presence; students were inspired and energized by her wonderful
presentation.
HEAD NOTES
From Head of School, Lou Salza
As a school head I am always on the look-out for opportunities to advance our
skills, apply research to curriculum, or learn about innovations that will add to our effectiveness in the classroom. Last Friday's NEOEA Day
provided just such an opportunity. I was pleased and proud to be a participant in the day-long Technology Conference sponsored by the Ohio
Association of Independent Schools - held right here at the Upper School, and taught mainly by our own Lawrence faculty and staff.
Over twenty of our teaching faculty and tech support staff presented workshops on the use of assistive, productivity and presentation software
designed to help students and teachers enhance the teaching and learning in any classroom - for any student - in any school.
It was a proud moment for me because I saw our school and our faculty not
only seated at the table with our fellow educators, but setting the agenda and, in terms of the use of technology, leading the conversation. I
was particularly proud to note that our staff was leading a general education conversation - touching upon all subjects with 60 teachers from a
variety of schools. The conference underscored the role technology plays in teaching and learning at Lawrence as well as other independent
schools in our state. Kudos to Dusty Perillo (LS) and Shanika Welch (US) who sit on the OAIS teacher services committee and
helped to organize the conference itself.
There are other excellent examples of our faculty and staff making a
difference by contributing to the conversation that advances our mission on behalf of our own students and school - and as a partner in the state and
region with other schools and organizations.
Jason Culp and Ron Messer recently traveled out of state to serve on an
Independent School Association of the Central States accreditation visiting team for member schools renewing their accreditation by reviewing their
school improvement plans. Jason and Ron were part of two teams that reviewed school systems and made recommendations on improvements. Earlier this
month, Courtney Baker gave a presentation to the OAIS meeting in Columbus on collaborative marketing between the 13 members schools of the Cleveland
Council of Independent Schools, offering suggestions on how schools located in Columbus and Cincinnati can launch a similar initiative.
And congratulations to Karen Callahan, who was named Exceptional Teacher of
the Year by the Learning Disabilities Association of Cuyahoga County. We share with Karen the pride in receiving this appreciation and honor
from LDA. In the nomination papers presented to support Karen, Joyce Walker wrote the following: "Karen's exceptionality is due to being
a life-long learner herself. At a time in her career when she could be comfortable with lesson plans in place, she pursues the most recent
research, and enhances her lessons to encompass cutting edge information."
What we do at Lawrence to educate our kids can inform and inspire learning
anywhere. As we prepare our students for the marketplace - the ultimate "mainstream" experience - we want our students know themselves well, to be
comfortable in their own skin, and to be able understand and communicate their strengths and challenges without apology and without arrogance.
Our aspirations for our own Lawrence teachers and staff can be no less than
our hopes for our students.
Kudos and congratulations to all our teachers and staff for their commitment to both our students here at Lawrence and to growing the influence our
school can have on other educators and the field of education itself.
Did this week's Head Notes column inspire you, puzzle you, or otherwise
stir a response you would like to share? Let Lou know how you feel! He welcomes all comments and correspondence via e-mail
or phone (440-526-0003 x2102).
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